Magic (1978)

83% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(6,186 ratings)

Anthony Hopkins is a ventriloquist psychologically tormented by his dummy in the Richard Attenborough thriller Magic (a film with a story that may seem familiar to those who have seen the Michael Redgrave segment of Dead of Night, or the Cliff Robertson episode "The Dummy" from The Twilight Zone… More Anthony Hopkins is a ventriloquist psychologically tormented by his dummy in the Richard Attenborough thriller Magic (a film with a story that may seem familiar to those who have seen the Michael Redgrave segment of Dead of Night, or the Cliff Robertson episode "The Dummy" from The Twilight Zone television series). William Goldman based his screenplay on his best-selling novel. Hopkins plays Corky, a seedy magician who is hooted off the stage in the low-rent clubs that will stoop to hire him. But when he comes across a dummy named Fats, his career is energized. Corky sees in Fats everything he lacks himself -- confidence, creativity, and verbal agility. With the help of his agent Ben Greene (Burgess Meredith), Corky rises to the top of the nightclub circuit. But with Corky's success comes an increased paranoia, and he turns down a TV contract, believing that it would mean taking a medical examination and that rumors of his mental instability might leak out. Corky takes off to a Catskills resort, run by Peggy Ann Snow (Ann-Margret), an old girlfriend now unhappily married to a volatile hick (Ed Lauter). While a frustrated Ben high tails it to the Catskills to find Corky, Corky discovers that he still has feelings for Peggy, but lands in the middle of a love triangle between the woman and her husband, where his schizophrenic personality manifests itself and additional murders occur. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Richard Attenborough
Written By: William Goldman
Genres: Drama, Horror, Romance, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Nov 8, 1978 Wide
On DVD: Jan 5, 1990

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
In adapting his own best-seller, William Goldman has opted for an atmospheric thriller, a mood director Richard Attenborough fleshes out to its fullest.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Magic is neither eerie nor effective. It is, however, very heavy of hand.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Magic has few scary moments and is really a rather maudlin examination of a nervous breakdown.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
It makes you feel uncomfortable in your own skin.
Derek Adams, Time Out
A hammed-up version of the old chestnut about the ventriloquist who is 'taken over' by his dummy, clumsily adapted by William Goldman from his own novel.
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
Because of Hopkins, because of Ann-Margret (who hardly looks like that Ann-Margret, adeptly proving herself as an occasional dramatic actress), and because of Burgess Meredith as well as Fats the dummy, "Magic" is one of the top-notch films of the 1970s.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Odd combo, but it's creepy and generally works.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A very well-crafted suspense-thriller that unfolds with one dramatically tense scene after another. Hopkins is superb.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Very likely to produce nightmares.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Still creepy story of Hopkins and his psychotic dummy.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Good cast can't keep this thriller afloat.
John Urbancich, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
It's no dummy!

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

William Goldman is a brilliant writer. Combine that with the directing talent of Richard Attenborough and the acting talent of Anthony Hopkins and the wonderful and still sorely missed Burgess Meredith and you have the recipe for a near perfect film. By far my favourite horror based… More
William Goldman is a brilliant writer. Combine that with the directing talent of Richard Attenborough and the acting talent of Anthony Hopkins and the wonderful and still sorely missed Burgess Meredith and you have the recipe for a near perfect film. By far my favourite horror based on Schizophrenia (there seems to be many these days). Corky/Fats is far frightening than Hannibal and Chucky put together in my opinion. A great film from an era that I particularly enjoy, the late 70's produced some ace films!
Megan S

Not too bad actually. Anthony Hopkins was good at being creepy before Silence of the Lambs. Not really a "horror" film more just creepy.
AJ V

This story has been seen over and over, there is an episode of the Twilight Zone and about three movies with the story before this movie came out. Obviously it is predictable and overacted, and I wouldn't recommend seeing it.
Curtis L

I've always had a fascination with dummys, and a fear of them. Mix a super creepy one with Anthony Hopkins and you've got a winner! The interplay between the two characters was gold. I really liked what it was about (eventually), it was unique and reminded me a bit of… More
I've always had a fascination with dummys, and a fear of them. Mix a super creepy one with Anthony Hopkins and you've got a winner! The interplay between the two characters was gold. I really liked what it was about (eventually), it was unique and reminded me a bit of Gollum.
Luke B

Magic is a film I have been wanting to see for years. But every time I picked up the DVD I, for some reason, decided against it. Finally I watched it and it is one of the most incredible, terrifying and moving films ever made. When it comes to horror you need great talent like this.… More
Magic is a film I have been wanting to see for years. But every time I picked up the DVD I, for some reason, decided against it. Finally I watched it and it is one of the most incredible, terrifying and moving films ever made. When it comes to horror you need great talent like this. Not the cliche teens and 2D characters of today. A great actor, great director and great writer, combine their forces for a powerful and chilling tale. Hopkins plays a shy man who has dreams of being a successful magician. We are introduced via one of the best opening scenes ever shot. It has Hopkins lying about how well his first performance went. As his voice over contrasts with the on screen visuals, we immediately understand Hopkins' motivations. Once his puppet comes into picture everything changes. Hopkins is confident, he has success, but all is not well. As the film progresses the puppet begins to look and sound more like Hopkins (who does an excellent job as the voice of Fats) and it is Hopkins that becomes the puppet. The film may be light on kills and gore but it work because it spends time building upon those that will be killed. Each kill can be felt and has consequences emotionally for those in the story. It's also a love story. Perhaps the most tragic and horrific love story since King Kong. Hopkins (in easily his best role) creates someone who is scary and sympathetic. He captures the shyness of Corky, the malevolence of Fats but most of all he never lets us forget that they are one in the same. The human love story is also sweet, tragic and brutally honest. Ed Lauter plays the husband of the Ann-Margaret and even he is given his dues. He's not the alcoholic wife beater he could have been. He may be jealous but his actions are understandable. The film is a horror, psychological drama and heart shattering romance all at the same time. It also shows the cooperative nature of film. Take away or change one element and it probably would have failed. Whether that be the wonderfully designed dummy, the haunting score or the performances. The film relies on everyone and everyone has done their job damn well. Simply amazing.
Tim S

Very tight thriller with a great ending. One of Anthony Hopkins' Best Performances Ever!
Lafe F

The #1 creepy puppet movie. A great psychological study of a ventriloquist who has gone insane. The setting of the remote lake house wasn't very interesting. It was hard to believe that Ann-Margret would be married to Ed Lauter. The scene where Burgess Meredith was ordering the… More
The #1 creepy puppet movie. A great psychological study of a ventriloquist who has gone insane. The setting of the remote lake house wasn't very interesting. It was hard to believe that Ann-Margret would be married to Ed Lauter. The scene where Burgess Meredith was ordering the puppet not to speak for one full minute was expertly directed to build great tension. It's spooky indeed. The trailer was scary as heck.
Danny R

A gripping and disturbing tale based on the best selling novel by William Goldman which is marvelously directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. Sir Anthony Hopkins is absolutely mesmerizing in a virtuoso performance that truly demonstrates his extraordinary range, he plays a Corky a… More
A gripping and disturbing tale based on the best selling novel by William Goldman which is marvelously directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. Sir Anthony Hopkins is absolutely mesmerizing in a virtuoso performance that truly demonstrates his extraordinary range, he plays a Corky a tormented ventriloquist & magician who dominated by his vicious dummy named Fats, who manipulates him into to a series of violent and deadly confrontations all leading to a shocking conclusion. It's edgy and suspenseful with terrific supporting performances from Ann Margret in a fine turn as Corky's lost love Peggy Ann Snow; and Burgess Meredith is a standout in a truly exceptional performance as Corky's agent Ben Greene. A haunting psychological horror story. Highly Recommended.
Chris B

Suspenseful, terrifying and genuinely disturbing all contained in a 106 minute film. Anthony Hopkins delivers another amazing performance as a ventriloquist who is controlled by his dummy in more ways than one. The film is definitely worth a watch.
Patrick D

This is one of those films that defy genre. Yet if I had to, I'd put it in horror. An effing creepy film that gets under your skin, and for those who don't like dummies, well, aren't gonna like them any more. It's definitely a build, type of film that starts off… More
This is one of those films that defy genre. Yet if I had to, I'd put it in horror. An effing creepy film that gets under your skin, and for those who don't like dummies, well, aren't gonna like them any more. It's definitely a build, type of film that starts off innocent enough, then slowly tips, but you won't be disappointed as you get an uneasy feeling from the very beginning. It's nice to see a young Hopkins as his stardom seem to come in his elder years and really he's an amazing actor, there's no doubt that he is one of the fact that make this film.
Donna D

It's been nearly 29 years since I seen this movie. The phobia against Ventriloquist dolls has seem to faze me at this moment. Magic is one of the early 70's thrillers which stars the great Anthony Hopkins in his young years. Starring as Corky the ventriloquist that has a… More
It's been nearly 29 years since I seen this movie. The phobia against Ventriloquist dolls has seem to faze me at this moment. Magic is one of the early 70's thrillers which stars the great Anthony Hopkins in his young years. Starring as Corky the ventriloquist that has a slight condition that seems to make his alter ego "Fats" the dummy his only companion in this chiller. Anthony Hopkins is as sinister as his Hannibal the Cannibal character, as he makes "Fats" become his murderous self as he kills unmercifully in this thriller. Great 70's classic.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

Anthony Hopkins
as Corky/Voice of Fats
Ann-Margret
as Peggy Ann Snow
Burgess Meredith
as Ben Greene

Ed Lauter
as Duke
E.J. Andre
as Merlin
Jerry Houser
as Cab Driver

See full cast